Document information

Physical location:

A63/4772, unit 749, VPRS 1189/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. M63.08.08

Preferred Citation:

John Perry to James McCulloch, 1863-08-08 [M63.08.08]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/mentions/selected/M63-08-08-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Balmoral St. Prahran
8 August 1863
To
The Honorable Jas McCulloch
Chief Sect of Victoria
in re The Botanical Reserve Thoroughfares
1
Perry's letter was forwarded to the Chief Secretary by T. Lightfoot, who had presented the original Memorial from the local residents protesting the closing of the paths through the Botanical Reserve (see Residents of South Yarra, Toorak and Prahran to J. McCulloch, 13 July 1863 (in this edition as M63-07-13)). In his covering letter, Lightfoot now wrote: 'I am sure if Dr Mueller would meet one or two of the memorialists a foot-road might be laid out that would be as satisfactory to him as to the Gentlemen who signed the Memorial'.
Sir
On the part of several persons interested I beg respectfully to protest against the conclusion which appears to have been arrived at in this matter, on the grounds that Dr Mueller being a party to the dispute should not have had the adjudication of it and that the decision so arrived at is opposed to the true facts of the case
It is scarcely right that the public wish duly expressed should be thwarted by the unjustifiable views of one individual whatever his position, especially when as in this case, that gentleman has evidently been unable (vide Mr Moores Letter 31st Ulto G.B1707
2
Letter not found.
) to produce one argument substantial or otherwise in support of the course which he is pursuing, and does not attempt to controvert the numerous & weighty ones brought forward on the public behalf in opposition to it.
Feeling satisfied that the matter may be safely left in your hands for adjustment on its merits and regretting that I should unfortunately have been obliged to intrude upon you at so inopportune a moment I beg Sir to subscribe myself
Your very obedient Servant
John Perry
3
On 13 August, McCulloch minuted: 'I approve of the suggestion of Mt Lightfoot, that Dr Mueller should meet a deputation from the memorialists — if they could meet on the ground an arrangement might be readily arrived at'. On the same day, the Under Secretary, J. Moore, minuted: 'Dr. Mueller will be so good as to comply with the wishes of the Chief Secretary'.